A bipartisan group is backing legislation that would greatly expand the drug court program using funds obtained from opioid settlements with drug companies. Landry says there are 75 drug court programs in Louisiana, but they are at risk because of a lack of funding. He says drug court programs reduce recidivism and with additional funding, there could be expanded drug testing of arrestees to identify potential addicts…
cut 10 (10) “….intervention”
Port Allen Senator Rick Ward plans to file the legislation.

Plan for the potential of severe weather today as a strong cold front will swing through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 7 (07) “…greater risk”
A large portion of the northern half of the state is under a tornado watch until 1 PM.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says there is a crisis at America’s southern border as immigration officials deal with a surge of unaccompanied migrant children. Cassidy says the Biden administration is hesitant to call it a crisis and they are sending mixed messages…
cut 14 (10) “…send”
The president has sent FEMA to the border to help shelter unaccompanied migrant children and more federal workers are heading to the area to help connect children with sponsors.

The state department of corrections is seeking an additional 21-million dollars in state funding that would be used to give prison guards a pay increase. Undersecretary Thomas Bickham says D-O-C wants to reduce its 73-percent employee turnover rate…
cut 6 (11) “…an hour”
Budget hearings will begin March 25th.